Christmas–Repurposed Decor

 

Early in the Christmas season, my hubby and I watched “Christmas with the Kranks.” It sparked a discussion about how much should Christmas cost, and what were we able to spend. We decided that Christmas decorating would be done with items that we already had. (After all, in the process of moving we had actually found things we had forgotten.) Anything we purchased had to be deeply discounted or it would stay at the store.

 

Let me give you a little tour of our “use what you have” Christmas décor.

 

 

Our entry way has the perfect spot for the bench that my dad built for me years ago. I topped it with the sled from my childhood and my scarf, hat, and gloves.

Above it on the wall are my “new” Christmas garlands. I used two burlap table runners that I had made for a reunion this past summer. I added wired ribbon that was used for napkin rings last Christmas. Then I used cardstock and scrapbook paper from my craft closet to add the Merry Christmas lettering. I added tiny clothes pins (also from my craft closet) to hold the Christmas cards we have received this year.

 

 

My piano sits in our extra-wide hallway.

 

 

It is where I display my main nativity set.

I dress it up with a length of velour from my sewing stash and a lighted garland.

Adding to the musical theme are my sons’ trumpet and trombone from high school band

and my grandfather’s violin.

 

 

On the coffee table is the poinsettia that my husband buys for me each year.

The nutcracker wise men are part of my son’s collection. (Not sure what I will do for decorations when the twins get married and take all of their stuff with them!)

 The Bible, opened to Luke 2, is my mother’s from her Bible college days.

 

 

I dressed up our plain Jane living windows with a wreath and two plaid table runners.

The runners are stitched together and attached to a hook with the wreath.

Two small loops of twigs hold the runners in each corner.

 

 

It is important to me that friends, family and guests feel at home.

So I stock my converted K-cup rack with tea bags, apple cider and cocoa packets.

We have a wonderful set of Royal Tudor Christmas mugs that were a wedding present 33 years ago.

I added a basket filled with “Coffee Spoons” and “Cocoa Hooks”.

 

 

My dining room table is decorated with candle goblets that were a gift a few years back.

 

 

Since we don’t have a hearth or mantle in our new place,

 the hutch served to hold the stockings this year. At least the stockings for the adults.

 

 

In the corner is my antique school desk.

 It is decorated with a nativity based on “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”

and the “stage” that I built for it.

The books on the seat are favorites that we read each Christmas –

the story of the candy cane and the story behind “The Twelve Days of Christmas” carol.

 

 

Our sweet granddaughter has her own nativity at our house.

She loves rearranging it and “bopping” the angel on the head

so the stable plays “Away in the Manger.”